`Wet Foot-dry Foot' Unfair To Citizens

January 14, 2006|John Greene SUNRISE

Every time there is an incident in which Cubans who attempt the journey don't make it to U.S. soil and are repatriated, we hear the same rhetoric from the Cuban population here in South Florida. That rhetoric is always echoed by the same two politicians, Mr. Diaz-Balart, and Ms. Ros-Lehtinen. And what does everyone seem to say in unison? The "wet foot-dry foot" act is not fair! No, it isn't fair. It is unfair to the citizens of the United States and the rest of the world's population.

Any person outside of the United States who wishes to immigrate to this country has to do so in a legal manner. It just so happens that Cuba also participates in this legal immigration process. But under terms of the Cuban Adjustment Act, or so called "wet foot-dry foot" act, Cubans are permitted to enter this country illegally if they happen to make it past our Border Patrol.

What kind of a message is this sending to the Cuban residents as well as our own residents? This "wet foot-dry foot" act has done nothing but encourage Cubans to attempt an illegal entry into the United States. Even after 9-11, when we clamped down on all people trying to penetrate our borders, illegally or under false pretenses, we still allow Cubans to enter illegally.

The "wet foot-dry foot" act is sending a dangerous message to the Cuban people. We are telling Cubans, "if you can sneak past our Coast Guard and other law enforcement personnel, you can stay." That is not immigration. That is illegal entry.

Yes, it is time to treat everyone fairly. And that means it's time to stop encouraging Cubans to make these dangerous and illegal treks. Treat everyone fairly. That means Cubans, like the rest of the world, have to emigrate to the United States legally, safely, fairly.